Article diverting mechanism

ABSTRACT

An article diverting mechanism for an article transporting device comprising in one embodiment a helical diverting spring concentrically mounted within a helical transporting coil that transports articles along one path, the diverting spring being movable between a normal inactive position in which it has no effect on the transported article, and a diverting position in which the diverting spring overrides the transporting coil and initially transports an article along one path, and then diverts the article along a different path. When the diverting spring is in its inactive position, transport of articles along the different path is prevented by spaced apart blocking flanges of the same pitch as the transporting coil and rotatable or movable in register or in phase therewith. When the diverting spring is in its diverting position, its pitch is somewhat less than the pitch of the transporting coil and blocking flange. Accordingly, the motion of the transported article is retarded somewhat, and the article ultimately passes through the space between the blocking flanges. In another embodiment of the invention, double transporting screw threads are used in which the lead ends of the threads are angularly spaced apart substantially 180*. The trailing end of one of the threads is interposed between the corresponding convolutions of the other thread and axially located adjacent to the blocking flanges. One of the threads transports articles along an axial path, transport in a lateral direction being blocked by the aforementioned spaced apart blocking flanges of the same pitch as the one thread. The other thread transports articles along the axial path, and then in a lateral direction through the space between adjacent blocking flanges.

[151 3,707,221 Dec. 26, 1972 ARTICLE DIVERTING MECHANISM a normal inactive position in which it has no effect on the transported article, and a diverting position in James c. Foote, Jr., York, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Eastman [7 2] Inventor:

which the diverting spring overrides the'transporting Kodak Company,

coil and initially transports an article along one path,

Rochester, N.Y.

March 1, 1971 and then diverts the article along a different path. When the diverting spring is in its inactive position,

[22] Filed:

' 7 transport of articles along the different path is [21] Appl.No.: 120,011- prevented by spaced apart blocking flanges of the same pitch as the transporting coil and rotatable or movable in register or in phase therewith. When the [51] Int Cl 7 31 271/64 diverting spring is in its diverting position, its pitch is somewhat less than the pitch of the transporting coil and blocking flange. Accordingly, the motion of the Mb 6 1 SN 5., m3 1 2 6 6 A A 1 3 8 9 l a m s f o d l .W F 1 2 8 5 5 214/1 S, 1 SW transported article is retarded somewhat, and the article ultimately passes through the space between the [56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS blocking flanges. In another embodiment of. the invention, double transporting screw threads are used in which the lead ends of the threads are angulariy spaced apart substantially 180. The trailing end of 7 France one of the threads is interposed between the cor- Primary Examiner-Edward A. Sroka responding convolutions of the other thread and axi- Attorney-William T. French, Robert F. Crocker and ally located adjacent to the blocking flanges. One of Steve W. Gremban the threads transports articles along an axial path, transport in a lateral direction being blocked by the aforementioned spaced apart blocking flanges of the same pitch as the one thread. The other thread transports articles along the axial path, and then in a lateral ABSTRACT I An article diverting mechanism for an article transporting device comprising in one embodiment a helidirection through the space between adjacent blocking flanges,

cal diverting spring concentrically mounted within a helical transporting coil that transports articles along one path, the diverting spring being movable between 23 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures RATENTEU DEC 2 6 m2 SHEET 1 [1F 4 m m w F C. 3 E M m AT TORNE Y PAIENTED um: 26 I972 SHEET 2 BF 4 FIG: 2

JAMES C. F0075 Jk,

INVENTOR.

BY E

AT TOR/V5 Y PATENTED DEC 26 I972 SHEET 3 BF 4 JAMES C. FOOTE JR.

INVENTOR.

BY 0 g AT TOR/YE) l ARTICLE DIVERTING MECHANISM Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to an article transporting device, and more specifically to an article diverting mechanism for a transporting device for selectively-diverting an article from onepath to another path.

2 Description of the Prior Art It is known in the prior art to provide helical feeders in the form of screws, each having a helical material transporting surface for transporting a material along a path. It is further known to provide conveyors for transporting articles in which the conveyors have an article div'ertingmechanism comprising a pivotally movable gate for selectively diverting a transported article from one path to another path. One of the disadvantages of such prior known article diverting mechanisms is that .the time interval available for actuating the article diverting mechanism to divert an article prior to the arrival of an article at the diverting station is very short, particularly where the articles are close together. To overcome this, it is necessary to space the articles apart and/or to greatly enlarge the transporting mechanism. This has the disadvantage of greatly increasing article velocity and enlarging the size of the transporting device and the floor space required to support it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention includes within its scope an article diverting mechanism for a transporting device of the type comprising in one embodiment a helical transporting coil surface for transporting an article in an axial direction. A complementary blocking flange surface of the same pitch as the transporting coil and preferably of helical configuration, although a conveyor chain having spaced apart blocking shelves or flanges would operate satisfactorily, is rotatable in unison with the transporting coil to prevent transport of the article in a vide an article diverting mechanism having a longtime interval available between the arrival of adjacent articles at the diverting station for actuating the diverting mechanism to divert an article.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an article diverting mechanism for a transporting device of the type having a helical transporting coil surface adapted to transport an article in one direction, the article diverting mechanism being movable between a normal inactive position in which it has no effect on the transported article, and a-diverting position in which it overrides the transporting vcoil and transports the article in a different direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article diverting mechanism for a transporting device of the type having a helical. transporting coil surface adapted to transport an article in an axial direction, and

' position inwhich it overrides the transporting coil and radial direction. The article diverting mechanism comprises a helical spring concentrically mounted within the transporting coil and movable between a normal inactive position in which it has no effect on the transport of articles by the transporting coil, and a diverting position in which it overrides the transporting coil and provides a new transporting spring surface of a different pitch. Due to the difference in pitch between the diverting spring in its diverting position and the blocking flange, the article is no longer blocked and is positively moved by a finger on the spring in a lateral direction through the space'or passageway between the blocking surfaces of the blocking flange. In another embodiment of the invention, double helical screw threads are used that are angularly spaced apart 180 at their leading ends for receiving an article for transport each half a revolution. The opposite end of one thread is axially spaced a half pitch from the other thread so that while the articles transported by one thread are blocked from movement in a lateral direction and hence are moved axially along one path, the articles transported by the other thread are not blocked and each is initially moved axially until it reaches the end'of the thread, and is then transported laterally along a different path through the space between the blocking flanges.

provides a new transporting spring surface that is out of register with the blocking flange so that the article is no longer blocked and is moved by the diverting'spring in a radial direction. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide an article diverting mechanism or sorter for receiving articles at apredetermined rate and repetitively transporting one article along one path and a succeeding article along a different path.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article diverting mechanism for a transport device that is of simple design and compact construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, and economical to manufacture.

The invention and its objects and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS diverting mechanism of FIG. 1 shown in its diverting position;

FIG. 4 is a segmental side elevational view of another embodiment of the article diverting mechanism of this invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, segmental, side elevational view of the transporting coil and diverting spring of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view in schematic form of the transporting coils and diverting springs of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, segmental view, partially in section, showing the slidable mounting at one end of a diverting spring. g

DESCRlP-TlON OF THE PREFERRED 1 EMBODIMENT Because article or material transporting mechanisms .(See FIG. 2) of a predetermined pitch for. receiving oppositeends (See FIG. 6).of an article such as a sheet 10 and transporting the sheet downwardly in an axially direction depicted by the arrow A. Due to therotation ofcoils 8, the sheet 10 in addition to being moved in an axialdirection Ais subjected to a frictional force tend the arrow=B. Such transport of the sheet in a lateral direction B is prevented bytwo pairs ofusubstantially aligned rods12, 1 3 placed in the path of and engageable by the sheet 10. The rods 12, 13 are spaced apart tov provide an opening or gate 14 through which the sheets may be transported in the lateral direction B; however, such transport through gate 14 is blocked by a pair of complementary radially spaced, axially extending-helical blocking flanges 16 of the same pitch as the transporting coils 8 and rotatable with the convolutions of the coils and flanges in register or in phase therewith. Although a helical blocking member 16 is shown, it should be understoodthat any'spaced apart blocking flanges such as spaced apart shelves mounted on a con- I veyor chain end movable past gate 14 may be used. Accordingly, any sheet l0that is transported downwardly in the direction A by the transporting-coils 8 across gate is blocked from passing through the gate by the blocking flanges 16 which at all times extendslightly above the complementary coil convolutions 8 and in the path of a sheet tending to be moved in the lateral direction B, as best seen in H6. 1. j

The embodiment of the article diverting mechanism of this invention shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6 comprises a helical diverting spring 18 mounted concentrically within each of the transporting coils 8 and having an end 20 affixed to a convolution of coil 8. Each of the diverting springs 18 further has an axially extending finger portion 22 adjacent the affixed end 20 extending downwardly approximately one half of the pitch of coil 8. The opposite end 24 of diverting spring 18 extends transported thereby. With specific reference to FlGS.'l and 5, a sheet 10 sever'edby blades 70 drops by gravity onto the upper convolutions of spaced apart, rotating coils 8 and is transported downwardly thereby. Since in the normal inactiveor non-diverting position of springs 18, all ofthejconvolutions thereof are displaced substantially a half pitch from the corresponding convolutions of coils 8, sheet 10 will follow the convolutions of coils 8, and the leading end thereof, as seen in FIG. 1, will be forced by the direction of rotation of .coils 8 ini tially against rods12 and later against blocking flanges l6.-F langes 16 are of the same pitch and in phase with coils 8 but axially spaced therefrom a small amount to at all times position flanges 16 in the path of the leading end of a sheet transported by coils 8. However, when the ends 24 of the diverting springs 18 are moved to the opposite ends of slots 26, as best seen in full lines in ing to move the sheet in a lateral direction depicted by through a slot 26 in a tubular support shaft 28. The end 24 of diverting spring 18 is secured by any suitable means to a cylindrical plug 30 mounted for reciprocal movement within the tubular shaft 28. In the normal inactive or nondiverting position of each of the diverting springs 18 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, the spring 18 is expanded with end 24 thereof in engagement with the upper end of slot 26, and has a pitch substantially equal to the pitch of coil 8 but displaced substantially a half pitch therefrom by virtue of axially extending portion 22. In this normal inactive position of diverting spring 18, it has no effect on coil 8 or any article or sheet 10 may be achieved by making the flanges flexible and I FIGQ3 and in dotted lines in FIGS, to its diverting position, the diverting spring ends 24 and adjacent coinvolutions of coils 8 are in the same plane, or spring ends are preferably slightly below the plane of the complementary adjacent convolutions of coils 8. In this position, any sheet 10 transported by coils 8 will, after it passes springends 24', follow the transporting surface of the diverting springs 18 rather than coils'8 due to the fact that their pitch is less than that of coils 8, and during thenext approximately two revolutions. of coils 8 and springs 18 .will be transported a distance equal to approximately one and one-half pitches of coil 8, or one half pitch less thanit would have been transported by coils 8. During the same approximately two revolutions, the blocking flanges 16, which are rotated at the transport of sheet 10 in lateral direction B is positively assisted by spring finger portions 22 which strike the end of the sheet and-push it in the radial direction through the gate opening 14 and through the space between the adjacent convolutions of each of the blocking flanges 16.

Although the diverting springs 18 are shown mounted within coils 8 for overriding the coils when actuated, it is, of course, within the scope of the invention to override or alter the blocking flanges 16 instead. For example, the speed at which the blocking flange is rotated could be altered so that when an article is conveyed by coils 8 in register with gates 14, blocking flanges 16, due to the change in speed of rotation, would no longer be in register with gates 14. Accordingly, the article would be conveyed by coils 8 through gates 14 and through the space between the convolutions of blockings flanges 16. The same result changing their pitch by axially moving one of their ends similarly to the way in which the diverting springs are normal inactive position as seen in FXG. 1 and its diverting position as seen in FIG. 3 by a rod 32 having one end secured to plug 30 by any suitable means, and its opposite end secured to a yoke 34 of a rocker member 36. The rocker member is in turn' secured to a shaft 38 rotatably mounted within any'suitable bearings supported by a frame 40. A solenoid 42 is secured'to the opposite end of one of the rocker members 36 and is adapted when energized to move the rocker members 36 and rods 32 for moving springs 18 to their diverting positions. When solenoid 42 is de-energized, springs 18 are moved to their normal inactive positions by virtue of their resilience. If desired, a solenoid shown dotted in FIG. 1 may be provided to move rocker members 36 and springs 18 into their normal inactive positions. The movement of the diverting springs 18 between their inactive and diverting positions is limited by an arm 44 on one or both of the rocker members 36 engageable with opposite sides of a U- shaped stop member 46.

Each of the tubular shafts 28 to which the transporting coils 8 are secured is connected by a bayonet lock 48 to one end of a hollow drive shaft 50 and locked in this position by lock nuts 52. The hollow shaft 50 is 'rotatably mounted within bearings 54 carried by frame 40 of the mechanism. Each of the blockings flanges 16 is rigidly secured to one end of a shaft 56 also rotatably supported by frame 40. Each pair of complementary transporting coils 8 and blocking flanges 16 are driven in the same direction of rotation, clockwise for one pair and counterclockwise for the other pair as denoted by arrows in FIG. 2, by a drive gear 58 in meshing engagement with driven gears 60, 62 secured to shafts 50, 56 respectively. The drive gear 58 is driven through a main drive train by any suitable drive means, not shown.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, each pair of the transporting coils 8 and movable diverting springs 18 of the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1-3 are replaced by a pair of transporting coils 63, 65 of the same pitch and having their leading ends 67, 69 respectively lying in the same plane and secured to diametrically opposed sides of shaft 28. For purposes of clarity, the convolutions of coil 65 are of circular cross section and the convolutions of coil 63 of a square cross section. The remaining parts of the mechanism 6 will be denoted by the same numerals. The transporting coils 63, 65 form a double threaded transporting device of the same pitch but displaced from one another by onehalf pitch due to the l80 angular displacement of the coil ends 67, 69. If coils 63, 65 are driven at one-half revolution per article, the first article will be transported by one of the coils such as coil 63, the second article by the other coil 65, the third article by coil 63, the fourth article by coil 65, etc. If the blocking flanges 16, not shown in FIG. 4, are oriented to block articles transported by coil 65, then the articles transported by coil 63 will not be blocked due to the one-half pitch displacement and will be diverted by coil 63 through the space between blocking flanges 16 and through gate 14. Accordingly, transporting coils 63, 65 in this embodiment of the invention provide an automatic article sorting device in which the first article is transported along a first path, the second article diverted along a second path, the third article transported along the first path, the fourth diverted along the second path, ad infinitum. By feeding the articles at a rate of one per revolution and in proper timed relation, all of the articles may be transported along the first path or diverted along the second path. lf the diameters of coils 63, are increased,.it is possible to have more than two coils, and by properly providing a pair of gates 14 and blocking flanges 16, articles may be automatically directed along three separate paths or along-any one of the three paths.

Sheets 10 may be fed to the transporting coils 8 or 63,65 by any suitable means, and this is achieved in this invention by a pair of transport rollers 64 (see FIG. 1) which transport a web 66 over a web support 68and through a pair of shear blades 70 of any suitable chopping mechanism, not shown, and into engagement with stop rods 12. The web 66 is chopped by shear blades 70 into sheets 10, each of which drops down by gravity onto the upper convolutions of the rotation coils 8, which transport the sheets downwardly. The chopping mechanism and transporting coils 8 are normally synchronized for proper operation in timed relation, and any suitable actuation timer is provided to prevent actuation of solenoid 42 for compressing diverting spring 18 if a sheet being transported by coil 8 would be squeezed between the convolutions of spring 18 and coil 8.

When the article diverting mechanism diverts a sheet from direction A to direction B, the forward advance of the diverted sheet in lateral direction B is stopped by a pair of spaced L-shaped stop members 72. The sheet 10 is then transported downwardly by the oppositely rotating blocking flanges 16 and onto a pair of spaced conveyor belts 74. The belts 74 are trained over pulleys mounted on shafts 78, at least one of which is driven for driving the belts and conveying the diverted sheet 10 to any suitable receptacle, not shown.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove.

I claim:

1. In an article diverting mechanism for diverting an article from a first path to a second path, the combination comprising:

first conveying means for conveying an article along said first path and for imparting a force to thearticle tending to move the article along said second path;

second conveying means for conveying an article along said first path and for imparting a force to the article-tending to move the article along said second path;

gate means adjacent said first path through which an article may be conveyed along said second path; and

blocking means movable only in register with said first conveying means for blocking articles conveyed by said first conveying means from passing through said gate means and allowing articles conveyed by said second conveying means to be conveyed along said first path and then through said gate means along said second path.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a first article conveying surface for conveying an article along said first path, said second 7 conveying means comprises a second rotatable member having a second article conveying surface for conveying an article along said first path, and said blocking means comprises a blocking surface movable in register with said first article conveying surface.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said first article conveying surface is helical and of one pitch, and said blocking means. comprises a blocking surface of the same pitch as said first article conveying surface.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a first helical article conveying surface of one pitch, said second conveying means comprises a second rotatable member having a second helical article conveying surface of said one pitch but axially dis placed from said first article conveying surface, and

said blocking means comprises a rotatable 'member having a helical radially spaced, axially extending blocking flange of said one pitch.

5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said first and second helical conveying surfaces comprise coils secured at angularly spaced points on a'shaft.

6. In an article diverting mechanism for diverting an article from a first path to a secondpath, the combination comprising:

conveying means for conveying an article along said first path and for imparting a force to the article tending to move the article along said second path;

gate means adjacent said first path through which an article may be conveyed along said second path;

blocking means movablein register with said convey ingmeans for blocking an article conveyed by said conveying meansfrom passing through said gate means; and

moving means coupled to one of said conveying means and blocking means for moving said one of said conveying means and blocking means out of register with the other of said conveying means and blocking means whereby the article bypasses said blocking means and is conveyed through said gate means along said second path.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having an article conveying surface for conveying an article along said one path at one speed, said blocking means comprises a blocking surface movable in register with said article conveying surface, and said moving means comprises a third member for overriding said one of said conveying and blocking surfaces for changing said one speed at which an article is conveyed or for moving said blocking surface out of register with said article conveying surface,

8. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a helical article conveying surface of one pitch, said blocking means comprises a second member having a blocking surface of said one pitch, and said moving means comprises a third member for overriding said one of said conveying and blocking surfaces and providing a transporting or blocking surface having a pitch different than said one pitch.

9. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a helical article conveying surface of one pitch,

said blocking means comprises a second rotatable member having a helical blocking flange of said one pitch, and said moving means comprises a third rotatable member coupled to said first rotatable member and movable between a norrnal'inactive position in which said third rotatable member has no effect on the operation of said conveying surface, and a diverting position in which said third rotatable member overrides said conveying surface and provides a transporting surface of a pitch different than said one pitch.

10. The invention according to claim 6 whereinsaid conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a helical article conveying surface'of one pitch,

said blocking means comprises a-second rotatable member having a helical blocking surface of said one pitch, and said moving means comprises a third rotata} ble member mounted within said first rotatable member and having a third helical surface movable between a normal inactive position in which said third helical surface has no effect-onthe operation of said helical conveying surface, and a diverting position in which said third helical surface has a pitch different than-said one pitch and overrides said helical conveying: surface; a 4

11. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a helical article conveying coil of one pitch, said blocking means comprises a second rotatable member having a helical radially spaced, axially extending flange of said one pitch, and said moving means comprises a helical spring mounted within said helical coil and having a helical transporting spring surface movable between a normal inactive position in whichsaid spring has no effect on the operation of said helical coil, and a diverting position in which said transporting surface has a pitch different than said one pitch and overrides said helical coil;

12. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a helical article conveying coil-of one'pitch, said blocking means comprises a second rotatable member having a radially spaced, axially extending helical flange of said one pitch, and said moving means comprises a helical spring mounted concentrically within said coil and in alignment with said gate means, said spring having one end secured to said coil member and a portion adjacent said one end positioned parallel to and offset from a complimentary adjacent portion of said coils, and the opposite end of said helical spring being movable between a normal position in which said helical spring has no effect on the operation of said helical coil and flange, and an operative position in which-the spring convolution at the opposite end lies in substantially the same plane as the complimentary adjacent convolution of said helical coil.

13. The invention according to claim l2'wherein said spring at said one end has a first portion secured to said helical coil, a second portion positioned in a plane off set from the complimentary adjacent convolution of strike an article conveyed thereby and convey the article along said second path.

14. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first member having a first helical surface of one pitch adapted when rotated to convey an article along said first path, said gate means defines an opening adjacent said first member, said blocking means comprises a second member having'a second surface of said one pitch and mounted on the opposite side of said opening from said first member, said first and second surfaces being properly oriented relative to one another and rotated in register such that any article transported past said opening by said first surface is blockedby said second surface, and said moving means comprisesmeans for overriding said first surface and providing a transporting surface on said first member of a pitch different that said .one pitch. 1

15. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first member having a first helical surface of one pitch adapted when rotated to convey an article along said first path, said gate means defines an openingiadjacent said first member, said blocking means comprises a second member having a second helical surface of said one pitch and mounted on the opposite side of said opening from said first member, said first and second helical surfaces being properly oriented relative to one another and said first and second members rotated in unison such that any article transported past said opening by said first helical surface is blocked by said second helical surface, and said moving means comprises means for overriding said conveying means and providing a transporting surface of a pitch different than said one pitch.

16. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first member having a first helical surface of one pitch adapted when rotated to convey an article along said first path, said gate means defines an opening adjacent said helical member, said blocking means comprises a second member having a second helical surface of said one pitch and mounted on the opposite side of said opening from said first member, said first and second surfaces being properly oriented relative to one another and rotated in register such that any article transported past said opening by said first surface is blocked by said second surface, and said moving means comprises a third member mounted within said first member and having a third helical surface of a pitch different that said one pitch and movable between a normal inactive position in which said third surface has no effect on the operation of said first surface, and a diverting position in which said third surface overrides said first surface and transports the articles along said second path.

17. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first member having a first helical surface of one pitch adapted when rotated to convey an article along said first path, said. gate means defines an opening adjacent said first member, said blocking means comprises a second member having a second helical surface of said one pitch and mounted on the opposite side of said opening from said first member, said first and second surfaces being properly oriented relative to one another and rotated in register such that any article transported past said opening by said first surface is blocked by said second surface, and said moving means comprises a third member having a third helical surface mounted concentrically within saidfirst surface and in alignment with said opening in said gate means, said third surface having one end secured tosaid first member and a portion adjacent said one end positioned substantially parallel to and offset from the complimentary adjacent portion of said first surface, and the opposite end of said third surface movable'between a normal inactive position in which said opposite end lies in a plane offset from the complimentary adjacent portion of said first surface, and a diverting position in which said opposite end lies in substantially the same plane as the complimentary adjacent portion of said first surface.

18. In an article diverting mechanism for diverting an article from a first path to a second path, the combination comprising:

a pair of spaced first rotatable members, each having a helical coil of one pitch for conveying opposite ends of an article along said first path;

gate means adjacent said first members through which the article may be conveyed along said second path transverse to said first path;

a pair of spaced second rotatable members mounted substantially parallel to said firstmembers, each of said second members having a radially spaced, axially extending helical fiange of said one pitch adjacent said gate means and movable in register with said coil for blockingan articleconveyed by said coil from passing through said gate means; and

means coupled to one pair of said first and second members for moving said coils and flanges out of register with one another whereby said fianges no longer block the passage of an article through said gate means.

19. The invention according to claim 18 wherein said moving means comprises means for. changing said one pitch of said coils and flanges.

20. The invention according to claim 18 wherein said moving means comprises means for changing said pitch of said coils to a pitch substantially less than said one pitch.

, 21. The invention according to claim 18 wherein said moving means comprises a helical spring mounted within each of said pair of first members and movable between a normal inactive position in which said heli-. cal spring has no effect on the operation of its associated helical coil, and a diverting position in which said helical spring has a pitch different than said one pitch and overrides its associated helical coil.

22. The invention according to claim 18 wherein said moving means comprises a helical spring mounted concentrically within each of said pair of coils and in alignment with said gate means, each of said springs having one end secured to its associated coil, said spring having said one end positioned substantially parallel to and offset from the complementary adjacent portion of said coil, and the opposite end of said spring being movable between a normal inactive position in which said spring has no effect on the operation of its associated coil, and a diverting position in which the spring convolution at the opposite end lies in substantially the same plane as the complimentary adjacent portion of said coil.

23. The invention according to claim 22 wherein each of said springs at said one end has a first portion secured to said coil, a second portion parallel to and positioned at substantially one-half the pitch of its-associated coil, and an axially extending third portion connecting said first and second portions and adapted upon rotation of said first and second members to strike an article conveyed thereby and convey the article along said second path.

t II! 

1. In an article diverting mechanism for diverting an article from a first path to a second path, the combination comprising: first conveying means for conveying an article along said first path and for imparting a force to the article tending to move the article along said second path; second conveying means for conveying an article along said first path and for imparting a force to the article tending to move the article along said second path; gate means adjacent said first path through which an article may be conveyed along said second path; and blocking means movable only in register with said first conveying means for blocking articles conveyed by said first conveying means from passing through said gate means and allowing articles conveyed by said second conveying means to be conveyed along said first path and then through said gate means along said second path.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a first article conveying surface for conveying an article along said first path, said second conveying means comprises a second rotatable member having a second article conveying surface for conveying an article along said first path, and said blocking means comprises a blocking surface movable in register with said first article conveying surface.
 3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said first article conveying surface is helical and of one pitch, and said blocking means comprises a blocking surface of the same pitch as said first article conveying surface.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a first helical article conveying surface of one pitch, said second conveying means comprises a second rotatable member having a second helical article conveying surface of said one pitch but axially displaced from said first article conveying surface, and said blocking means comprises a rotatable member having a helical radially spaced, axially extending blocking flange of said one pitch.
 5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said first and second helical conveying surfaces comprise coils secured at angularly spaced points on a shaft.
 6. In an article diverting mechanism for diverting an article from a first path to a second path, the combination comprising: conveying means for conveying an article along said first path and for imparting a force to the article tending to move the article along said second path; gate means adjacent said first path through which an article may be conveyed along said second path; blocking means movable in register with said conveying means for blocking an article conveyed by said conveying means from passing through said gate means; and moving means coupled to one of said conVeying means and blocking means for moving said one of said conveying means and blocking means out of register with the other of said conveying means and blocking means whereby the article bypasses said blocking means and is conveyed through said gate means along said second path.
 7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having an article conveying surface for conveying an article along said one path at one speed, said blocking means comprises a blocking surface movable in register with said article conveying surface, and said moving means comprises a third member for overriding said one of said conveying and blocking surfaces for changing said one speed at which an article is conveyed or for moving said blocking surface out of register with said article conveying surface.
 8. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a helical article conveying surface of one pitch, said blocking means comprises a second member having a blocking surface of said one pitch, and said moving means comprises a third member for overriding said one of said conveying and blocking surfaces and providing a transporting or blocking surface having a pitch different than said one pitch.
 9. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a helical article conveying surface of one pitch, said blocking means comprises a second rotatable member having a helical blocking flange of said one pitch, and said moving means comprises a third rotatable member coupled to said first rotatable member and movable between a normal inactive position in which said third rotatable member has no effect on the operation of said conveying surface, and a diverting position in which said third rotatable member overrides said conveying surface and provides a transporting surface of a pitch different than said one pitch.
 10. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a helical article conveying surface of one pitch, said blocking means comprises a second rotatable member having a helical blocking surface of said one pitch, and said moving means comprises a third rotatable member mounted within said first rotatable member and having a third helical surface movable between a normal inactive position in which said third helical surface has no effect on the operation of said helical conveying surface, and a diverting position in which said third helical surface has a pitch different than said one pitch and overrides said helical conveying surface.
 11. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a helical article conveying coil of one pitch, said blocking means comprises a second rotatable member having a helical radially spaced, axially extending flange of said one pitch, and said moving means comprises a helical spring mounted within said helical coil and having a helical transporting spring surface movable between a normal inactive position in which said spring has no effect on the operation of said helical coil, and a diverting position in which said transporting surface has a pitch different than said one pitch and overrides said helical coil.
 12. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first rotatable member having a helical article conveying coil of one pitch, said blocking means comprises a second rotatable member having a radially spaced, axially extending helical flange of said one pitch, and said moving means comprises a helical spring mounted concentrically within said coil and in alignment with said gate means, said spring having one end secured to said coil member and a portion adjacent said one end positioned parallel to and offset from a complimentary adjacent portion of said coils, and the opposite end of said helical spring being movable between a normal position in which said helical spring has no effect on the operation of said helical coil and flange, and an operative position in which the spring convolution at the opposite end lies in substantially the same plane as the complimentary adjacent convolution of said helical coil.
 13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said spring at said one end has a first portion secured to said helical coil, a second portion positioned in a plane offset from the complimentary adjacent convolution of said helical coil, and an axially extending third portion connecting said first and second portions and adapted upon rotation of said first and second members to strike an article conveyed thereby and convey the article along said second path.
 14. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first member having a first helical surface of one pitch adapted when rotated to convey an article along said first path, said gate means defines an opening adjacent said first member, said blocking means comprises a second member having a second surface of said one pitch and mounted on the opposite side of said opening from said first member, said first and second surfaces being properly oriented relative to one another and rotated in register such that any article transported past said opening by said first surface is blocked by said second surface, and said moving means comprises means for overriding said first surface and providing a transporting surface on said first member of a pitch different that said one pitch.
 15. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first member having a first helical surface of one pitch adapted when rotated to convey an article along said first path, said gate means defines an opening adjacent said first member, said blocking means comprises a second member having a second helical surface of said one pitch and mounted on the opposite side of said opening from said first member, said first and second helical surfaces being properly oriented relative to one another and said first and second members rotated in unison such that any article transported past said opening by said first helical surface is blocked by said second helical surface, and said moving means comprises means for overriding said conveying means and providing a transporting surface of a pitch different than said one pitch.
 16. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first member having a first helical surface of one pitch adapted when rotated to convey an article along said first path, said gate means defines an opening adjacent said helical member, said blocking means comprises a second member having a second helical surface of said one pitch and mounted on the opposite side of said opening from said first member, said first and second surfaces being properly oriented relative to one another and rotated in register such that any article transported past said opening by said first surface is blocked by said second surface, and said moving means comprises a third member mounted within said first member and having a third helical surface of a pitch different that said one pitch and movable between a normal inactive position in which said third surface has no effect on the operation of said first surface, and a diverting position in which said third surface overrides said first surface and transports the articles along said second path.
 17. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said conveying means comprises a first member having a first helical surface of one pitch adapted when rotated to convey an article along said first path, said gate means defines an opening adjacent said first member, said blocking means comprises a second member having a second helical surface of said one pitch and mounted on the opposite side of said opening from said first member, said first and second surfaces being properly oriented relative to one another and rotated in register such that any article transported past said opening by said first surface is blocked by said second surface, and said moving means comprises a third member having a third helical surface mounted concentrically within said first surface and in alignment with said opening in said gate means, said third surface having one end secured to said first member and a portion adjacent said one end positioned substantially parallel to and offset from the complimentary adjacent portion of said first surface, and the opposite end of said third surface movable between a normal inactive position in which said opposite end lies in a plane offset from the complimentary adjacent portion of said first surface, and a diverting position in which said opposite end lies in substantially the same plane as the complimentary adjacent portion of said first surface.
 18. In an article diverting mechanism for diverting an article from a first path to a second path, the combination comprising: a pair of spaced first rotatable members, each having a helical coil of one pitch for conveying opposite ends of an article along said first path; gate means adjacent said first members through which the article may be conveyed along said second path transverse to said first path; a pair of spaced second rotatable members mounted substantially parallel to said first members, each of said second members having a radially spaced, axially extending helical flange of said one pitch adjacent said gate means and movable in register with said coil for blocking an article conveyed by said coil from passing through said gate means; and means coupled to one pair of said first and second members for moving said coils and flanges out of register with one another whereby said flanges no longer block the passage of an article through said gate means.
 19. The invention according to claim 18 wherein said moving means comprises means for changing said one pitch of said coils and flanges.
 20. The invention according to claim 18 wherein said moving means comprises means for changing said pitch of said coils to a pitch substantially less than said one pitch.
 21. The invention according to claim 18 wherein said moving means comprises a helical spring mounted within each of said pair of first members and movable between a normal inactive position in which said helical spring has no effect on the operation of its associated helical coil, and a diverting position in which said helical spring has a pitch different than said one pitch and overrides its associated helical coil.
 22. The invention according to claim 18 wherein said moving means comprises a helical spring mounted concentrically within each of said pair of coils and in alignment with said gate means, each of said springs having one end secured to its associated coil, said spring having said one end positioned substantially parallel to and offset from the complementary adjacent portion of said coil, and the opposite end of said spring being movable between a normal inactive position in which said spring has no effect on the operation of its associated coil, and a diverting position in which the spring convolution at the opposite end lies in substantially the same plane as the complimentary adjacent portion of said coil.
 23. The invention according to claim 22 wherein each of said springs at said one end has a first portion secured to said coil, a second portion parallel to and positioned at substantially one-half the pitch of its associated coil, and an axially extending third portion connecting said first and second portions and adapted upon rotation of said first and second members to strike an article conveyed thereby and convey the article along said second path. 